“Danny thinks he has Set under control, and so he’s going to try to do stupid things.”

“Danny told you that he knows that whatever control he has over Set can’t be relied on, and he will never bring him here.”

“Until he changes his mind,” said Wad.

“So only you are wise,” said Anonoei.

“Only I am a thousand years old,” said Wad. “I’ve learned to be relentless, and Danny North hasn’t.”

“You’re telling me to abandon the liberation of my own people, who are currently under the control of a conquering enemy, in order to help you prepare for a struggle that’s over, except in your nightmares.”

“Exactly,” said Wad. “Because my nightmare is infinitely worse than the petty humiliations that Gray exacts from Iceway.”

“Let’s not quarrel,” said Anonoei. “I promise not to kill Frostinch.”

“You shouldn’t put King Prayard’s baby in danger.”

“There’s no danger.”

“What you really mean,” said Wad, “is that it’s not your baby. But it’s the child of that body you’re wearing, and that’s the only body you can ever use to have a child, so you might as well consider it to be yours.”

“I have two sons of my own, real sons, back in Mittlegard,” said Anonoei. “When I bring them home—”

“King Prayard will have them killed, because they’re bastards born to a mistress and now they pose a threat to his legitimate heir. What story will you tell him, Bexoi, to explain that you’re secretly his mistress after all? How will you convince him that you’re not insane?”

“Wad, I came to you as a courtesy, because I thought you were my friend. I see that you want to control me—”

“I’m trying to persuade you,” said Wad.

“You want me to do your will,” said Anonoei.

“I want you to help me save Westil.”

“I have Bexoi’s powers,” said Anonoei, “plus my own, all enhanced by passage through a Great Gate. When I’ve resolved things in the North, I’ll help you wherever you need me.”

“I know you mean what you’re saying…”

“Wad, you know that if I wanted to use my powers to persuade you…”

“I know you’ve told me that you never have.”

“And I spoke the truth. If it weren’t true, do you think I’d waste time arguing with you now?”

“I think you know that I’m right, and so you don’t want to meddle with my superior wisdom.” He said it with a slight smile, meaning her to take it as irony, as wit.

But Anonoei decided to distract him with something true. “Wad, I know that there’s more danger to Westil than whatever Danny North poses. That selfish, irresponsible Greek girl brought someone else from Mittlegard several days ago. A week, now, come to think.”